2nd delay for NASA’s launch of spacecraft to moon

A pair of spacecraft intended to orbit the moon and measure its gravity will not lift off until Saturday. NASA says it needs time to analyze data for the rocket’s propulsion system. Concerns arose following Thursday’s failed launch attempt.

High wind halted the countdown Thursday, and NASA aimed for Friday. Then late Thursday night, NASA bumped the launch to Saturday. Liftoff time is 8:29 a.m.

The near identical twin satellites are named Grail-A and Grail-B. Grail stands for Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory.

None of the world’s previous 109 moon missions has been dedicated to lunar gravity like Grail. This mission costs $496 million.